Stories from 20 October 2005
Colombia, USA: Violence
John Guzman compares violence in Colombia and the United States.
Colombia: Finding Optimism Online
Sir Tropical looks for some positive thinking on the web and finds I Believe in Colombia, a foundation stressing hope and empowerment.
Guyana: An Open Letter to President H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo
Roberto Borrero writes an open letter to Guyana's president in opposition of the Amerindian Bill of 2005.
Puerto Rico: PRIDCO Slim(m)ing
Gil Schmidt argues as to why the Puerto Rican Industrial Development Company should be done away with.
Russia: Wheat Beer
The Russian Dilettante reports on the growing acceptance of weissbier in Russia and why Baltika must rebrand every few years.
Ukraine: Junk Mail
Notes From Kiev reports that junk mail has arrived in Ukraine, specifially in the form of the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes. However, such endeavors have some history to overcome.
Hungary: Pecs=Euros
Pestiside.hu says that it's not clear what the selection of Pecs as a European Cultural Capital really means beyond loads of euros.
Dominican Republic: Baseball Player Mondesi to Run for Mayor
DominicanPlayers.com says that Atlanta Braves outfielder, Raul Mondesi will run for mayor in his hometown of San Critobal.
Armenia: Treeless Hills
Voch Me Ban comments on Vanadzor's lack of trees, phony municipal elections, and the disconnect between the Armenian diaspora and the people of Armenia.
Turkmenistan: Mahribanlarym
neweurasia comments on the release of the latest book from Turkmenbashi (“Father of the Turkmen” as President Nazarbaev likes to call himself).
Pulse of the Saudi Blogosphere
On a recent interview with Barbara Walters on ABC News, King Abdullah said the day when women can drive in Saudi Arabia is going to come. Riyadhawi's comment on that statement was one word: When? (Arabic) “When this day comes, the suffering of a large portion of the society will...
Qatar: The Doha Debates
Mohammed of Qatar Living says that Qatar has the reputation of being the home of free speech in the Middle East. Not only is it home to Al-Jazeera, but it also plays host to The Doha Debates which are held monthly at the Qatar Foundation. The Doha Debates are chaired...
Jordan: Blogging and Journalism
Lina is not happy that the Felix Moley Journalism Competition through the Institute for Humane Studies is not considering Blog entries as valid to enter the competition, specially that she believes that blogs are playing a very important role vis-à-vis today's mainstream media, and that they are a powerful tool...
Iran: Hoder @ BOBs
Hoder is on his way to attend the DW panel on blogging, as part of the Frankfurt International Book Fair next week.
Israel: Protocols of Zion
Zach talks about Gothamist interview with documentary film maker Marc Levin regarding his new film Protocols of Zion (movie blog here), chronicles Marc’s exploration of the rumor that no Jews died in the attack on the World Trade Center because they were warned in advance. Apparently he says, Jewish groups...
Iran: More Internet Censorship
Farid Pouya says that Reporters Without Borders accused the Iranian government of seeking to increase its control of the Internet in recent measures that have included contracting an Iranian company to set up a new online censorship system. RSF report here.
Israel: Learning Hebrew
Jonathan says that like much else in the Middle East, the emergence of Hebrew instruction in East Jerusalem sends mixed messages. On one hand, the ulpanim are a reminder that although Arabic is an official language in Israel, it has de facto secondary status in business and government. He also...
Palestine: I am Jewish!
Firas envy Beckham, not for his fit body, fame or good looks, and absolutely not for his wife Victoria, it is just that Beckham could at any point head to Israel for FREE, where he will be greeted at the airport with wide opened arms, and a “Welcome Home” greeting....
Jordan: FM radio spectrum
Ahmad Humeid says that the Jordanian FM radio spectrum is becoming crowded. But with what?
Palestine: Report from At-Tuwani
umkahlil says that On Wednesday, October 19 Christian Peacemaker Teams issued an Urgent Action appeal asking to call Israeli military officers and Israeli embassies to demand that the Israeli military fulfill its obligation to protect all people under its jurisdiction in the occupied West Bank, and to question the Israeli...
Palestine: New Illegal Settlement around Bethlehem
Bethlehem Bloggers asks: Why is the route of the ‘security fence’ cutting so deep inside Palestinian land (see map from ‘stop the wall’)?
